Serosurvey of mountain lions in southern Arizona.

An understanding of the prevalence of diseases in free-ranging populations of felids is limited, and there is even less known about the overall health and diseases of wild felids that inhabit or utilize urban areas. We collected serum samples from 9 radiocollared mountain lions (Puma concolor) in the mountains surrounding Tucson, Arizona, USA, from August 2005 to August 2008. We tested serum samples for evidence of exposure to 10 feline viruses: Feline Calicivirus (FCV), Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Enteric Coronavirus, Feline Syncytial Virus-Feline Foamy Virus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPLV), Feline Leukemia Virus, Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), and Toxoplasma gondii. The highest prevalences of exposure were: T. gondii (8/9), FPLV (7/9), and FCV (6/9). One male was seropositive for CDV, T. gondii, and FPLV. Mountain lions inhabiting smaller fragmented landscapes and urban areas have more contact with other felids and domesticated animals. Frequent contact among mountain lions, other felids, and domesticated animals can lead to higher risk of exposure and facilitate the spread of the disease from animal to animal. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis in bighorn sheep, Silver Bell Mountains, Arizona, USA.

An infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) epizootic in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) occurred in the Silver Bell Mountains, Arizona, USA, from 1 December 2003 to 31 March 2004. We used standard culture methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene to test for the causative agents of IKC and other diseases reported to be associated with bighorn sheep populations. All bighorn sheep and domestic goat test results were negative except for Mycoplasma spp. and Branhamella spp. The culture and PCR results differed. Conjunctival swabs from four of 19 IKC-affected bighorn sheep tested by culture were positive for Mycoplasma spp., whereas 22 of 22 bighorn sheep samples tested by PCR were positive for Mycoplasma spp. None of 13 domestic goats tested positive by culture for Mycoplasma spp., whereas five of 16 tested positive by PCR. Three of 16 domestic goats and seven of 24 IKC-affected bighorn sheep tested positive for Branhamella spp. by culture. Bighorn sheep began showing clinical signs of IKC between 21 and 28 days following initial detection of domestic goats in bighorn sheep habitat. The IKC epizootic lasted 122 days, and individual bighorn sheep were blind for an average of 38.4 days. Given the clear potential for disease transmission to bighorn sheep, we recommend that land managers not allow the pasturing of domestic goats near occupied bighorn sheep habitat.

Serologic survey for pathogens potentially affecting pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) fawn recruitment in Arizona, USA.

During the 1990s, pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) populations declined in Arizona, USA. To investigate potential causes of decline, we collected blood samples from hunter-harvested male pronghorn from 2001 to 2003 on four Arizona sites. Sera were tested for antibody to parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3), bovine viral diarrhea virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), bluetongue virus (BTV), and Chlamydia psittaci. Antibody against PI3 was found in 33% of the samples, whereas antibody against BTV/EHDV was found in 77%. Antibodies to other pathogens were found at low prevalence rates. Although pronghorn decline in Arizona is probably not directly related to disease, potential reproductive effects of BTV/EHDV and PI3 infection on pronghorn in Arizona merit further study.

Epizootiology of hemorrhagic disease in mule deer in central Arizona.

We report two male mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) mortalities that occurred near Prescott, Arizona (USA) in September 2001. Necropsy lesions were compatible with those described for hemorrhagic disease (HD). Bluetongue (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHDV) viral RNA were identified in tissues from one deer and EHDV viral RNA was identified in the other via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Virus isolation attempts were unsuccessful in both cases. To determine geographic range and viral serotypes involved, we collected blood samples from healthy hunter-harvested male mule deer in three game management units near Prescott in October 2001. Forty-one blood samples were collected and antibodies against EHDV and/or BTV were found in 21/41 (51%) samples as determined by agar immunodiffusion. Serum neutralization test results suggest that multiple EHDV and BTV serotypes are present in Arizona.

Serologic survey for antibodies to canine distemper virus in collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) populations in Arizona.

In 1989, a disease outbreak was observed among collared peccaries (javelina, Tayassu tajacu) in southern Arizona (USA) and canine distemper virus (CDV) was isolated from affected animals. Subsequently, 364 sera were collected from hunter-harvested javelina over a 4 yr period (1993-96) and were tested for antibody to CDV. Neutralizing antibody to CDV was detected in 58% of the serum samples suggesting that CDV infection is probably enzootic in the collared peccary populations of southern Arizona.

Caprine herpesvirus-2 in association with naturally occurring malignant catarrhal fever in captive sika deer (Cervus nippon).

Three female sika deer from a single captive herd were submitted for postmortem examination over a 139-day period. The first 2 deer submitted were reported to have lost body mass for 20 days to 1 month before euthanasia. One of these deer had diarrhea, the other had a crusting dermatitis on the nasal planum and inner aspects of both pinnae. The third hind did not have any signs of disease before it was found seizuring and was immediately euthanatized. Microscopically, all 3 animals had a lymphocytic vasculitis typical of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), with the most severe lesions in the brain. All 3 deer were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for caprine herpesvirus 2 (CpHV-2) and were negative for ovine herpesvirus 2 (OHV-2). Two healthy goats that were housed adjacent to the deer were also PCR positive for CpHV-2 and PCR negative for OHV-2. The CpHV-2, PCR amplicons from the hinds, and the 2 healthy goats had an identical single base polymorphism. A male sika deer that was housed with the hinds and a fawn from 1 of the hinds remained asymptomatic and were PCR negative for CpHV-2. This represents the first report of mortality with MCF-like lesions in association with CpHV-2.

Hemorrhagic disease in bighorn sheep in Arizona.

Two bighorn sheep from Arizona (USA) were submitted for necropsy. One was a Rocky Mountain bighorn (Ovis canadensis canadensis) and the other was a desert bighorn (Ovis canadensis mexicana). Both had lesions consistent with those of hemorrhagic disease (HD). Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) type-2 and bluetongue virus (BTV) type-17, respectively, were isolated from the sheep tissues. To our knowledge, HD caused by either EHDV or BTV infection has not been documented previously in Arizona bighorn sheep.

Hemorrhagic disease in deer in Arizona.

Two mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and one white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Arizona (USA) were submitted for necropsy. Gross and microscopic lesions compatible with hemorrhagic disease (HD) were observed in all three deer. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (EHDV-2) was isolated from two of the deer. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of HD in deer in Arizona. Two of the mortalities were attributed to EHDV-2 infection.